26th May, 2023
Most of us are familiar with the concept of a pacemaker for a faulty heart rhythm. But how does the same technology work in the treatment of incontinence? How, specifically, does sacral neuromodulation stop bowel and bladder leakage? Understanding the Role of the Pacemaker If we think of the heart as a complex muscle and nerve system, we know that sometimes that system goes awry.… Read more »
17th Feb, 2023
Incontinence is a health condition characterized by the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control, leading to leakage of urine or feces. It's a common issue, but incontinence is still often misunderstood and under-treated in medicine. This lack of understanding leads to numerous challenges for those affected, such as stigma, embarrassment, and reduced quality of life. Why is incontinence so misunderstood and why is the… Read more »
3rd Feb, 2023
Incontinence is a progressive condition, which means symptoms can come on gradually. But what are the common symptoms of incontinence, and how do different types of incontinence play a role? Stress Urinary Incontinence Symptoms While involuntary loss of urine or stool is the main symptom of incontinence, the associated issues are more varied. For many people, the earliest and most common problem is just a… Read more »
20th Jan, 2023
Bladder and bowel accidents are certainly no fun for anyone—and both are symptoms of incontinence—but when are they an indication of a more serious problem? How can a person know if their incontinence symptoms are serious? The primary answer is that they become serious when they affect you and your quality of life. The truth is, incontinence is not something that a person has to… Read more »
27th Oct, 2022
For so many, incontinence is an issue that creeps up gradually. Over time, there is an increased need to urinate more often and leakage becomes commonplace. To manage, many people simply make accommodations to their lifestyle. They begin paying close attention to the location of the nearest bathroom, for example, or they start using pads or diapers, or they scale back their social lives to… Read more »
30th Sep, 2022
Overactive bladder, leakage and incontinence can start at any age, but as progressive conditions, they will worsen with time. Well-meaning tips for "stopping leaks" can provide advice to potentially slow down that progression, but by the time most people are needing real help, the first-line therapies and even the very best tips simply aren't enough. The good news is that treatments to resolve overactive bladder,… Read more »
1st Jul, 2022
Bladder leakage, overactive bladder, and bowel incontinence are no fun. The symptoms are disruptive and embarrassing, but they are also progressive, meaning they get worse with time. What may start as a nuisance progresses to an expensive series of trips to different doctors, and even more expensive trips to Costco for pads and diapers. Here's what to understand about the progressive nature of incontinence. The… Read more »
3rd Jun, 2022
Any exploring treatment options for incontinence will run through the usual suspects — medications, removable devices, injections, lifestyle changes. And if they're lucky, they'll learn about the best-kept secret in medical care. Sacral neuromodulation is considered a pelvic floor pacemaker. It's truly remarkable in terms of efficacy and still flies under the radar for many. In a recent post for Sixty & Me, Dr. Sasse discussed… Read more »
27th May, 2022
Diaper sales are at an all-time high. And not the kind for babies. Unfortunately, those diapers that cannot fly off the shelf fast enough are for adults like us, but who are struggling with bladder and bowel leakage. Most people who buy diapers and pads for themselves, a parent, or a loved one do not realize that the problem can be treated a better way.… Read more »
6th May, 2022
For many people, managing incontinence amounts to dealing with the symptoms of that condition instead of resolving the root issues. That's where things like lifestyle changes and adult diapers come into play. But there are treatments that address the underlying causes of incontinence, and some, like sacral neuromodulation, are surprisingly effective. In his latest post for Sixty & Me, Dr. Sasse wrote about the idea… Read more »